In and Around Our Houses of Worship

MADISON The Presbyterian Church of Madison invites the public to
bring its singing voices and special requests to the church's
popular "Regards From Broad way," a cabaret-style musical revue and
dessert cafe, at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, May 19, in the church's
Fellowship Hall at 19 Green Ave. Fellowship Hall will resemble a
New York style-cabaret, with dimly lighted tables, gourmet
desserts, coffee, refreshments and music. Popular songs from such
shows as "42nd Street," "Guys and Dolls," "Fiddler on the Roof,"
"Brigadoon," "West Side Story," "Godspell" and many others will be
performed by members of the church choirs, and in sing-alongs with
the audience. Special requests will be taken and audience members
will be invited to take their own turn in the spotlight.

Admission is $10 per person, and $8 for students. Tables can be
reserved, but an early arrival is advised. For ticket information
call the church office at 377- 1600. The church is accessible to
the handicapped.

Premiere to mark choir's 150th year

MADISON The combined choirs of Grace Episcopal Church at 4
Madison Ave. will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the choir at
the 9 a.m. service this Sunday , May 20, with a world premiere of
"The Grace Church Gloria" by Mark Miller, commissioned for the
occasion. Organizers noted the first choir at Grace Church came
about when one black servant girl from a neighboring estate, as
noted in the diary of the rector, a Dr. Rankin, "sang so well that
I taught her the 'Gloria' after the service." Along with six or
seven of her companions, they formed the first enthusiastic choir
and made their debut at a service on May 20, 1851. For this reason
Miller was commissioned to set a "Gloria" in celebration. The
combined Adult Choir and School Choir 1, trebles grades 2 to 5,
will sin g the work antiphonally with School Choir 2, trebles
grades 6 to 12, in the gallery under the direction of Anne Matlack,
organist and choir director, with the composer at the
piano.

Mark Andrew Miller is a teacher, performer, composer, and
student of sacred music. He is the music associate and assistant
organist of Riverside Church in New York City; artist-in-residence
and director of the Gospel Choir at Union Theological Seminary in
New York City, and composer-in-residence for the Harmonium Chora l
Society of Morris County. Since 1994 he has been the director of
music for the Drew Theological School in Madison. Miller received a
bachelor of arts degree in music from Yale University in New Haven,
Conn., and a master of music degree in organ performance from the
Julliard School in New York City. He began composing six years ago.
His choral works have been performed for Hillary Rodham Clinton and
Christopher Reeve at Drew University commencement exercises.
Riverside Church commissioned him to write a choral work premiered
at its tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. this past
January. Abingdon Press has published his communion settings in the
new United Methodist Hymnal Supplement, and his anthem "O For a
Thousand Tongues to Sing" for its "Millennium Series."

The Grace Church choirs recently released a CD, "Younger
Generations," available at Pandora Bookstore on Waverly Place in
Madison.

For information call the church at 377-0106.

Monsignor Puma to celebrate 50 years in the priesthood

MADISON The Rev. Monsignor Vincent Puma will celebrate his 50th
anniversary in the priesthood on Sunday, June 3, at Saint Vincent
Martyr Roman Catholic Church at 26 Green Village Road. A mass will
be celebrated at 4 p.m. Following the mass, Puma will greet well
-wishers at an informal reception and buffet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in
the Saint Vincent School auditorium. The reception is free and all
are invited. Later, a formal dinner will be held at the Madison
Hotel in Morris Township, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at
7:30 p.m. Reservations are required and admission is $75 per
person. To attend either reception, call 694-2690. The monsignor
has asked that well-wishers refrain from making personal
gifts.

Puma, a Madison native who now lives in Wayne, has retired as a
pastor but remains active in church affairs. The former pastor of
Saint Vincent Church, he founded Eva's Kitchen in Paterson, which
has grown into a center for services to the poor. Last year Puma
published his memoirs, "Son of a Bishop."

Shabbat services May 18 for youngsters and adults

CHATHAM TWP. Congregation Beth Hatikvah will hold two Shabbat
services on Friday, May 18, at 158 Southern Blvd. The first will be
a Tot Shabbat beginning at 6:30 p.m. for pre-schoolers and
kindergartners and their siblings, with age-appropriate singing,
dancing, stories and an introduction to prayer led by a teacher who
specializes in using music and theater to instruct young children.
Regular weekly Shabbat services will follow at 8 p.m. The question,
"What i s prayer?" will be the subject of Rabbi Amy Small's sermon
and discussion. All are welcome to join this session of the
Essential Judaism series coordinated by the Adult Learning
Committee. Saturday, May 19, will bring the final session of the
Religious School, followed by the traditional family picnic and
outdoor games.

For information call 701-1665.

May 19 art show to follow combined choirs at chapel

CHATHAM TWP. Long Hill Chapel will host the third annual Fine
Arts Festival at 7 p.m. this Saturday, May 19, at the church at 525
Shunpike Road in Chatham Township. The evening will commence with
the combined choirs of Long Hill Chapel, Mountainside Chapel,
Evangel Baptist Church and Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Anthems will
include selections by Haydn, Craig Courtney and Cymbala of the
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Following the concert there will be a
gallery show displaying the work of local artists. Light
refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For information
call 377-2255.

Cafe get-together May 20

CHATHAM Jewish Community Center (JCC) MetroWest will hold a
coffeehouse evening for adults ages 21 to 30 at 7:30 p.m. this
Sunday, May 20, at Cafe Beethoven, 262 Main St., Chatham. The
evening is sponsored by the JCC MetroWest Young Adult Department
and Jewish Post Grads. Admission, which includes dessert and
beverage, is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For information,
call Leslie Glass at 736-3200, ext. 288.

Service to feature chants

CHATHAM TWP. A HeNaynu Shabbat service will be held at 8 p.m.
Friday, May 25, at Congregation Beth Hatikvah, a Reconstructionist
synagogue at 158 Southern Blvd. The HeNayNu service will include
songs and chants, meditations and contemplative readings along with
prayer. The service will build on Jewish tradition by exploring the
reflective and spiritual ways of the Jewish people. All are
invited. For information call 701-1665.

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In recent weeks, Long Hill Township and Watchung Borough passed ordinances allowing their police departments to be able to apply for surplus equipment from the Department of Defense. Long Hill recently procured a Humvee to use in times of flooding, which Watchung states as the reason they are getting into the program. However, in cities around the country, police forces have used the program to obtain military gear, such as weapons and armor.
For more background, go to the link below
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/echoes-sentinel/news/watchung-police-department-hopes-to-receive-equipment-from-department-of/article_12ad002a-92b3-5449-a2cc-4b2cf0ce4339.html